A deadly train crash in the southern state of Oaxaca has resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, an incident likely to revive censure from critics regarding the rapidity and execution of the country's major government projects.
The disaster took place on the trans-isthmus railway, a line developed to link the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean across the slenderest section of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. This initiative was created to provide an alternative rail cargo route to the Panama Canal, aimed at driving regional growth in the area.
“We are going to meticulously determine what caused this incident,” affirmed the national leader.
The leader announced that, of the approximately 250 passengers on board, another 98 were hurt, with five of those in grave condition. The president added plans to visit Oaxaca to confer with those involved.
Flagship Project of Former Government
The Interoceanic Train was a central infrastructure project of the immediate past president, whose time in office ended the previous year. This project was closely associated with his government's developmental vision for the southern region.
Another ambitious rail project from that period, a passenger and freight circuit around the Yucatán Peninsula, was also part of the wider plan to kickstart the economic fortunes of a comparatively poorer part of the country.
Project Execution and Risks Apprehensions
The construction of both train projects was supervised by the nation's military, marking a dramatic expansion of its role in national works. They were built at an accelerated pace, beating expectations to be at least partly opened before the end of that administration.
However, this accelerated timeline had also sparked ongoing questions over construction quality.
- Sunday's derailment was the third event on the Interoceanic Train in the current year.
- This involves an earlier accident this month when a train smashed into a truck at a railroad crossing.
- The other major rail project has also had a couple of non-deadly derailments.
Calls for Investigation and Halt
In the wake of the disaster, the chief of a major opposition party urged an urgent halt in the building and running of all such projects.
This halt was proposed while awaiting a full technical review. The party emphasized that the loss of life "calls for prompt explanations."
In reply, the national leader insisted that the train had been running in full accordance with all security protocols. Commitments were given that the government would continue to be "accountable" in both the development and operation of these national projects.
